Benefits of Using Aluminium

Aluminium weighs more than 33% less than steel, whilst retaining a majority of the strength.

Most alloys can be expected to have a tensile strength range of approximately 70 to 700 MPa, whilst having a density two thirds less than steel.

This allows designers to meet their own specifications, without worrying about the strength of a given profile, or the burden it may create for supporting structures, making aluminium equally ideal for the construction industry, as it does for the automotive, and presentable as a viable alternative to many other metal types currently in use.

Aluminium has extremely similar conductivity properties to copper, whilst weighing significantly less.

Aluminium is an excellent heat conductor. Profiles can be designed to maximize surface area and thermal channelling. An example of this would be heat sync, where aluminium could be used to take heat away from a semiconductor.

Sections including thermal breaks can be used to lower heat conductivity. These can be made using materials less-conductive than the typical alloy. An example of this would be in the internal and external surfaces of a window.

These properties also mean that aluminium doesn't melt until at around 650°C, and does so without releasing any harmful gases. It's also non-combustible.

Aluminium can be coated with any colour and with any surface finish.

It is possible to anodise aluminium using a huge range of thicknesses and hardnesses, depending on what it's intended end use is. Once done, the profile can then be powder coated in one of a countless array of colours, finished and finally polished mechanically, to be foil-wrapped and supplied ready for use.

These treatments help make the metal more durable and resistant to corrosion, whilst ensuring a quality finish on the final product that can fit the theme of almost any project.

Aluminium has the potential to be used in a near-infinite number of use cases.

The extrusion process provides a huge range of profile possibilities. Designers can integrate different functions like screw ports, thread details, clip fits and hinge details into a single profile.

Extrusions can then be easily shaped, cut, drilled, machined, punched, bent and welded to fit a bespoke purpose.

• Easily recyclable
• Malleable
• Corrosion-resistant
• Non-toxic
• High machinability
• Non-magnetic
• Reflects radiant energy